Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128173
placement motor, it also has fuel injection for the first time. The bike features a redesigned ram-air system, and a completely new cylinder head, which was lowered by 10mms to reduce weight and increase performance. The intake and exhaust valves are ] Omm shorter as well, which not only reduces weight but also increases high-rev performance. The camshafts have less lift for more top-end performance, and also have adjustable sprockets to alter the timing. The tranny features closer ratios for better racetrack performance. The chassis has also been redesigned on the ZX-6R. The most obvious change is to the front end, with an all-new, fully adjustable, 41mm Kayaba upside-down fork. The rear shock is also new and is a fully adjustable Kayaba unit as well. One of the coolest additions is the new radial front brakes (similar to the Brembo units that have been used in World Superbike and MotoGP for the past couple of seasons). The calipermounting bolts attach to the brackets in the same plane in which the rotor rotates. This helps to eliminate any side-to-side flex and gives the pads more consistent contact with the rotors. Styling is updated dramatically for 2003 as well, with all-new bodywork, redesigned headlights, taillights, and instrument panel. The ZX-6R will be available in four colors: Silver, Black, Blue, and Red. As for the ZX-6RR, it's essentially the same bike except for a few key differences. As mentioned above, it has a similar motor except that it only displaces 600cc for Supersport-racing legality. In addition, the motor has a shorter stroke for a higher rev ceiling, and forged-aluminum pistons. One of the biggest differences is that the bike has a slipper clutch to help eliminate wheel hop during corner entries. As for the chassis, it is very similar to the other version except that it has provisions for ride-height adjustment on the rear shock. Beyond that, it is pretty much the same. The RR version is only available in one color: Kawasaki Green. MSRPs haven't been released for either bike yet, and we don't know when they will be in dealers, so stay tuned. ZR1000 Kawasaki wanted to make sure that the ZR1000 wasn't embarrassed with its clothes off, so they made sure that the bike's important parts (read: engine) look as good as they work. Add to this its radical visual impact, and you have the most outlandish bike Kawasaki has ever made. At the core of the bike is the new water-cooled 953cc motor - based on the ZX900F's. It features fuel injection, a large radiator, and a four-intotwo-into-four exhaust system for aximum performance. The chassis features a lightweight, rigid, diamond frame, which is made of large-diameter, thin-walled tubing. The front end includes a Showa 46mm inverted fork, with prOVIsIons for rebound adjustment only. The rear shock is mated to Kawasaki's UniTrak swingarm and, like the front, the shock only has provisions for rebound adjustment. This bike is all about the styling. It looks more like a concept bike than a production bike. The bodywork is fresh and aggressive - it looks like Kawasaki has finally left the "retro look" behind and produced a naked bike for the new millennium. The upper fairing not only gives the rider a bit of wind protection, but it also provides a home for the cockpit's gauges. The bike will be available in two color combinations: Yellow/Black, and Red/Black. The MSRP hasn't been released yet. VULCAN 1600 CLASSIC tern - it also has revised cam timing and lift. New, throaty, chamberless dual mufflers let the bike breathe and help to increase power. The swingarm has been extended by 30mm to give the chassis that long-and-Iow look. The seat height has been reduced, and the fenders and side covers were moved lower as well - for that low-slung look. The fork-tube diameter was increased from 41 to 43mm to increase rigidity. The frame itself is now 100mm narrower to give the designers the look they were after. The bike also carries dual front-brake rotors and calipers, instead of the single-disc/caliper setup on the previous bike. Most of the other changes are to visually enhance the appearance of the bike. The front end is enhanced by new chrome mirrors, a larger Kawasaki has updated its flagship Vulcan Classic Cruiser, which is now the 1600 Classic. The engine displacement has been increased from 1470cc to 1552cc by increasing the stroke by 5mm. The motor has a revised crank, pistons, and rods, and is fed by a digital fuel-injection sys- chrome headlight, and new fork and triple-clamp covers. There are also redesigned floorboards, new taillights, and a new rear fender to accommodate the wider rear tire. The Vulcan 1600 Classic will be available in Silver, Red, and Black. MSRP isn't available yet. CN cue I. n e _ s • SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 37